Abstract
Objective
To investigate the feasibility of conducting exoskeleton-assisted gait training (EGT)
and the effects of EGT on gait, metabolic expenditure, and physical function in persons
with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Design
Single-group pilot study.
Setting
Research laboratory in a rehabilitation hospital.
Participants
Individuals with MS (N=10; mean age, 54.3±12.4y) and Expanded Disability Status Scale
6.0-7.5.
Interventions
All participants completed up to 15 sessions of EGT.
Main Outcome Measures
Timed 25-foot walk test at self-selected and fast speed, 6-minute walk test, metabolic
expenditure of walking and timed Up and Go test were assessed during walking without
the exoskeleton at baseline and immediate post training.
Results
All participants tolerated the training intensity and completed training without adverse
events. After training, gait speed was improved and metabolic expenditure was reduced
significantly during the timed 25-foot walk test at self-selected speed.
Conclusions
EGT is not only feasible but may also improve gait efficiency for persons with MS.
Our observed improvement in gait speed was associated with reduced metabolic expenditure,
which was likely because of improved neuromotor coordination. Further studies are
required to investigate the effectiveness and integration of EGT in the continuum
of MS rehabilitation.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
BWSTT (body weight–supported treadmill training), EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale), EGT (exoskeleton-assisted gait training), FS (fast speed), MS (multiple sclerosis), NVO2peak (normalized peak oxygen consumption), RAGT (robotic-assisted gait training), T25FW (timed 25-foot Walk), TUG (timed Up and Go), SS (self-selected speed), 6MWT (6-minute walk test), VO2peak (peak oxygen consumption)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 07, 2019
Footnotes
Disclosures: none.
Supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (grant no. PP3394), Memorial Hermann Foundation, and TIRR Foundation.
Clinical Trial Registration No.: NCT02519244.
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
